If you are a fan of ice hockey, you might have wondered if the two players named Toews who play in the National Hockey League (NHL) are related. Devon Toews is a defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, while Jonathan Toews is a former captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Both are Canadian and have won the Stanley Cup, but are they brothers, cousins, or just share a common surname?
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According to Wikipedia, Devon Toews and Jonathan Toews are not related by blood or marriage. They both have the same surname, which is of German origin and means “roof” or “covering”. However, they have different ancestry and family backgrounds.
Devon Toews was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on February 21, 1994. His parents are Brian and Marilyn Toews, and he has a younger brother named Logan. His father is a former hockey player who played for the University of British Columbia and coached Devon in his youth. Devon’s grandfather, John Toews, was a Mennonite who immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 1926.
Jonathan Toews was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on April 29, 1988. His parents are Bryan and Andrée Toews, and he has a younger brother named David and a younger sister named Melinda. His father is an electrician who played hockey at the University of Manitoba. Jonathan’s paternal grandfather, Karl-Heinz Toews, was a German who immigrated to Canada from East Prussia in 1956.
How did they become NHL stars?
Devon Toews and Jonathan Toews both started playing hockey at a young age and showed great talent and passion for the sport. They both played in various junior leagues before joining the collegiate ranks.
Devon Toews played for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) from 2011 to 2013. He then attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where he played for the Bobcats from 2013 to 2016. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders in 2018 and played for them until 2020, when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He signed a four-year contract with the Avalanche and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Jonathan Toews played for Shattuck-Saint Mary’s School in Minnesota from 2002 to 2005. He then attended the University of North Dakota, where he played for the Fighting Hawks from 2005 to 2007. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (third overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2007 and became their captain in 2008. He led them to three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013, and 2015. He also won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 season due to an undisclosed illness.
What do they have in common?
Despite not being related, Devon Toews and Jonathan Toews have some things in common besides their surname and profession. Here are some of them:
- They both play the same position: center.
- They both wear the same jersey number: #7.
- They both have nicknames that end with “er”: Devon is called “Tazer” and Jonathan is called “Captain Serious”.
- They both have won awards for their performance: Devon was named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team in 2012 and the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team in 2016; Jonathan was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2008 and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in 2010.
- They both have charitable interests: Devon supports mental health awareness and animal welfare causes; Jonathan supports children’s health and education initiatives.
Conclusion
Devon Toews and Jonathan Toews are two of the best hockey players in the world, but they are not related by any means. They have different origins, histories, and paths to success. However, they share some similarities that make them stand out among their peers. They are both examples of hard work, dedication, and excellence on and off the ice.
